Montana Delight

[patodonn]

I just posted this as a reply to the "Montana Misery" topic by Bill and Pat. If you haven't read that topic "string", it is very interesting. I chose to make a new topic of my reply, to make sure the good folks at a different Montana KOA get the recognition they deserve.

We just experienced the "flip side" of the Montana KOA coin. We are presently staying at the Billings KOA, the original KOA of them all. It is, far and above, the best KOA we've seen in over a year of "full timing". Immaculate sites and facilities, plenty of big enough sites for the largest 5'er, cable, phone hookups, free wi-fi, etc, etc. Gracious and very helpful staff. BBQ facility on the grounds, breakfast and dinner available at reasonable price, and you can walk it home to your rig.

I mentioned the topic problem with them, and they are aware of the situation in Butte. KOA Hq (in Billings) is aware of it. There are legal problems in closing down such franchises, but it does happen, now and again. One problem is that KOA Hq will give a free night or two to someone who complains to make the "problem" go away, but that is only like giving a piece of candy to a kid after the dentists appointment. It doesn't fix the underlying problem. If enough folks complain, then the real process of eradication begins, but it is slow.

We have stayed at several KOAs over the past 15 months. A very few were excellent, most sort of OK for a night or two, some !!eeeech!! (One memorable one in VA), but this one in Billings should be the model for them all.

Just wanted to make sure the folks here get the recognition they deserve, and aren't tarred by the same brush as those at the other end of the KOA spectrum.

[Bowie]

Thanks so much for posting that!!! We'd hate to see the people who run a great campground loose business because they are mistaken for someone else. Your clarification by running a separate thread was a super idea. Billings sounds like a wonderful stop and we will try to see them on our next trip west.

[CountryGuy]

Great post!!

Just shows, there can be bad apples in every batch. The worst campground we ever stayed at was in Texas, NOT a KOA, and believe me, if there had been a KOA around, well, it could not possibly have been any worse than this piece of garbage. I have wiped the name out of my memory banks it was so horrid ! GULP!

[D and M On The Road]

I can understand that KOA can't "close down" a franchised location. But..... don't you think that the KOA Corporation should not renew a franchisee's affiliation to KOA of America if it doesn't meet KOA standards. At least then the camp couldn't pull the KOA name thru-the-mud.
It really seems like the KOA standards have slipped.

Many years ago we used to be confident that any KOA camp we'd come upon in our travels was going to be a great place to stay. Out of over 20 or so KOAs that we have stayed at, there's only 2 or 3 we'd return to.

Thank goodness for the internet and all the research options available to us!

[Northstar]

Thanks for the update. We need postings like this. Keep us posted. Happyrving.....

[Parrothead]

Just wanted to add a couple more REALLY great KOA's. There is one by the Ponoma Fairgrounds in California where a BIG RV show happens every fall. A little close together bu neat, clean and nice staff. But the best we've ever found is in Petaluma (North Bay area) California. We stayed there off and on for three years. Beautiful trees, neat, clean, nice people and lots of activities. It is the closest good campground to San Francisco and they have tours to San Francisco and the wine country. You can also take the ferry over to San Francisco - the ferry is about 10 miles from Petaluma.